soon gained, by the aid of his military force, and especially by alliance with Solano, the Suisun chief, a control over the more distant tribes which had never been equalled by the missionary and his escolta, a functionary who, however, still remained as curate. Quite a number of families, both Californians and members of the famous colony, settled at Sonoma.[1]
José Figueroa died at Monterey September 29th, at 5.30 P. M., from the effects of an apoplectic attack, after about a month's illness. The funeral ceremonies, with firing of guns and other military honors, took place at the capital October 2d, being attended by all the people of the vicinity, and by prominent men from all parts of the territory. The body was embalmed rudely and taken to Santa Bárbara by the Avon, which sailed the 17th, to be deposited in a vault of the mission church on the 29th. There the remains were to lie, according to Figueroa's request, until the Mexican government should send for them to render fitting honors to the memory of a warrior who had distinguished himself in the struggle for independence. Mexico never did anything of the kind, and the Californians were not much more zealous in perpetuating his memory. The diputacion, on motion of Juan B. Alvarado, passed some very eulogistic resolutions in the sessions of October 10th-14th, providing for the hanging of Figueroa's portrait in
- ↑ Details given by Vallejo, Hist. Cal., MS., iii. 11-22, and less fully by Alvarado, Hist. Cal., MS., ii. 199-202, the same having been reproduced in different combinations by several newspaper writers are so manifestly inaccurate in so far as they can be tested as to be of no value. The general idea conveyed is that of an expedition into a new frontier country, including battles, maritime adventures, and treaties with thousands of hitherto hostile Indians; the past 10 years of peaceful occupation and Vallejo's own past residence at Sonoma being substantially ignored. The foundation of the town is also made to precede the expulsion of Híjar and Padrés. Vallejo mentions the following names on his way to Sonoma: Pt Novato; Embarcadero of P. Ventura, or Lakeville; Pt Tolai, on Midshipman's Creek; and Pulpula, or Pope's Landing. Vallejo also states that W. A. Richardson assisted him in making the survey. In 1861 Santiago Argüello assured Judge Hayes, Emig. Notes, 454, that he was the founder of Sonoma, having made the map, etc. 500 soldiers is a favorite newspaper statement of Vallejo's force. 25 would perhaps be a more accurate estimate.
